Register now for CBAI's Annual Directors' Conference, scheduled for December 4, 2012, at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield. This comprehensive one-day conference discusses the factors that are changing the way community banks do business, concentrates on the new ways the best minds in community banking are finding to navigate these turbulent times, and provides answers as to how community banks can prepare for and shape the future of the financial services system to benefit their bottom lines.
CBAI has gathered top banking experts to make this conference a must-attend event. Jim Mathis, founder of the Mathis Group, discusses reinventing your community bank, Ed Krei of THE BAKER GROUP helps prepare your bank for the uncertain times ahead, Kraig Lounsberry and David Schroeder of the CBAI governmental relations staff provide a legislative and elections update, Mike Mahorney of Nicoud Insurance and Matt Maris of Rogers Benefit Group address healthcare reform, and Jeff Rigsby of CB Resource, Inc., and Kent Fisher of Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP, share an overview of Basel III. The conference also includes a mini-exposition featuring the latest products and services pertinent to community banks.
Back to top

Last week the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago announced the election of Jim Ashworth, CNB Bank, N.A., Carlinville; and Art Greenbank, First Bankers Trust Company, N.A., Quincy, to its board of directors. Their four-year terms begin January 1, 2013. CBAI endorsed the candidacies of both members and congratulate them on their successful campaigns.
Thanks to the support of several CBAI members, community banks are assured of continuing strong representation on the board of this important institution for many years to come. See FHLB Release.
Back to top

After months of work, CBAI flipped the switch to a new web site last Friday, November 9th. Designed for greater ease of use by CBAI members and the general public, www.cbai.com offers the latest information on legislative and regulatory issues and the ability for members to communicate directly with elected officials. In addition, all CBAI educational programs can be accessed with online registration capability. All IDs and Passwords for the CBAI Members Only Section remain the same. We hope you enjoy the new look and functionality!
Back to top

Late last week the federal regulators jointly announced that none of the Basel III capital provisions will become effective on January 1, 2013. They cited the large volume of comment letters and a wide range of issues identified that need to be addressed as the key reason for the delay.
CBAI and ICBA and other banking organizations have urged bankers to submit comment letters to regulators and share their concerns with their congressmen, and the effort appears to have had a positive impact. ICBA and CBAI will continue to communicate our concerns about Basel III to regulators and elected officials alike. In fact, CBAI’s Vice President of Federal Governmental Relations, David Schroeder, is in Washington this week primarily for that purpose. See Federal Reserve Release.
Back to top

In a recent blog posting, ICBA’s Cam Fine articulates the merits of proposed remedies to the vexing problem of too-big-to-fail mega banks. Among the most constructive is enactment of a streamlined version of the Glass-Steagall Act’s separation of commercial banking and investment banking activities, an idea proposed by FDIC Director Tom Hoenig. By separating those activities, the investment-minded Wall Street firms could make their windfall profits, but would also have to take their losses without taxpayer bailouts. See Fine Blog Post.
Back to top

In the Federal Reserve’s inaugural issue of Community Banking Connections, Chairman Ben Bernanke declared, “I see a very real need for continuation of the traditional community bank model. Indeed, I believe there is a real place for customization and flexibility that community banks can exercise to meet the needs of local communities and small business customers.”
Back to top

According to the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS), a phrase often heard from the pundits following last Tuesday’s election has been “status quo.” After spending $6 billion dollars, countless attack ads, and many months of campaigning, pretty much nothing changed in leadership. President Obama was re-elected, Democrats retained control of the Senate, and Republicans maintained their majority in the House of Representatives.
Beyond the President and Congress, the status quo will also exist for many federal agencies. See CSBS Agency Analysis.
Back to top

CBAI’s Committee on Legislation and Regulation will meet later this year to discuss and propose a legislative agenda to pursue during the Spring 2013 session of the Illinois General Assembly. As always, we are soliciting your ideas. See Legislative Outreach.
Back to top

Interpreted literally, the Latin term "status quo" means “the state in which”. As a result of the election, we find the state in which we are in is unchanged from the state in which we were in. Read More.
Back to top

For months, concerns about the looming “fiscal cliff” have been a major topic of economists, lawmakers, and media worldwide. Well, just what is the “fiscal cliff?” Certainly many descriptions indicate a perplexing fiscal policy predicament looming over Capitol Hill. But they don’t together sufficiently describe the impending fiscal cliff and what it means for everyday Americans and community bankers on Main Street far outside the Washington Beltway.
As Congress reconvenes to find solutions, ICBA has embarked on a short four-part series on the fiscal cliff—to cover what it is, what harm it could cause, what Congress might do to avoid it and what community bankers should consider doing in response. See Part I.
Back to top

The U.S. economy is the largest and most important on earth, and what happens here still determines what happens to the world economy. A U.S. plunge off the fiscal cliff would have dramatically adverse consequences across the planet. See Time Analysis.
Back to top

Call on Washington is CBAI's annual lobbying trip to our Nation's Capital. Now in its 31st year, scores of community bankers from across Illinois will join with their colleagues from across the nation and meet with Members of Congress and federal bank regulators in Washington, D.C. to express their opinions on important bank issues. YOUR VOICE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Now is the time to get involved. PLEASE PLAN TO JOIN US. SAVE THE DATE. Read More.
Back to top

CBAI associate member Small Business Growth Corp. reports that the interest rate for a 20-year SBA 504 loan hit a record low in November. For business owners looking to purchase or renovate commercial property, the current 20-year effective interest rate for SBA 504 loans is 3.95%. Additionally, the current interest rate for a 10-year industrial equipment loan is only 3.38%. Both rates are fixed for the life of the loan.
Back to top

ICBA has released results of its 2012 Community Bank Technology Survey, sponsored and coordinated by Plante Moran, PLLC, and findings reveal that the mobile banking revolution is well underway for community banks despite growing concerns about regulatory compliance, safeguarding data and managing the pace of technological change. Protecting data and infrastructure, systems availability and recovery, detecting and mitigating fraud, and managing the pace of technological change were cited as top concerns. See Results.
Back to top

As the holiday season quickly approaches and shoppers across the country start making their lists and checking them twice, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) is encouraging them to Go Local and do at least 30 percent of their holiday shopping at area small businesses. By doing so, consumers will be supporting small businesses that create local jobs and fuel their local economy—making everyone’s holiday on Main Street a little bit sweeter. Read News Release.
Back to top

CBSC Preferred Provider, Diebold Inc., the leader of self-service delivery systems, security and service for community banks, is hosting a FREE webinar on Tuesday, November 20th, 2012. The program will explore how financial institutions are relying on their outsourcing partners more than ever before to be strategic partners. Outsourcing partners need to know how to manage change regarding both security and compliance, and how to serve as a single point of contact for all outsourcing needs.
This webinar will highlight the strategic services needed for long-term success in the areas of:
• Compliance
• Competitiveness
• ProfitabilityClick Here to register or to view a complete list of Diebold’s free webinars.
Back to top

ICBA Bancard, CBSC preferred provider for credit card issuance, has introduced V.me by Visa Services. V.me presents an opportunity for credit card issuing banks to strengthen account holder relationships by offering them a new service that addresses a growing desire to shop online – from any device with ease and simplicity. V.me allows a bank’s credit card customer who is shopping online to pay online by simply entering a user name and password, forgoing standard information required today such as an account number and bill to and ship to information at checkout. See Press Release.
Back to top

Over the last several years, regulators have been increasingly critical of fair lending issues and have pressured banks to make self assessments – some of which might be privileged. In addition to fair lending, regulators have stepped up enforcement regarding Unfair and Deceptive Act and Abusive Practices (UDAAP), and part of the session discusses the audit process for UDAAP. Because a UDAAP violation can happen in almost any interaction with a customer, there are unique issues that make completion of the audit a challenge. This full-day auditing seminar provides vital regulatory background information and involves a thorough discussion of the Interagency Fair Lending Examination Procedures, and the examination procedures that have been created for UDAAP. This seminar is based on the most recent incarnation of each of the procedures to assure that your audit meets current standards. In addition, the seminar manual is tailored to provide useful fair lending audit checklists for your use. Leading this seminar is Bill Elliott, CRCM, senior consultant and manager of compliance with Young & Associates, Inc., Kent, OH.
Back to top

CBAI is pleased to offer “Account Titling” in three locations this December. This seminar is designed for new account representatives, tellers, and head tellers who need to know the various types of account ownerships that exist – from single account owners through corporations. Learn what the different ownership types represent and how to make sure you are opening the proper type of account for your customer. In addition, the seminar covers Customer Identification Program requirements and FDIC insurance, as well as operational issues tellers face daily. All new account representatives, tellers, and head tellers would benefit from attending this seminar. Leading this seminar is Bryan Fetty of Young & Associates, Inc., Kent, OH.
Back to top

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the retail cost of menu items for a classic Thanksgiving dinner increased less than 1 percent this year. The average cost for this annual feast for 10 people is $49.48, a 28-cent increase from last year. See Farm Bureau Report.
Back to top

DISCLAIMER:The association is not responsible for and has no control over the
subject matter, content, information, or graphics when viewing links
attached to this association's site. If you do not wish to receive
e-mails from Community Bankers Association of Illinois (CBAI), 901
Community Drive, Springfield, IL 62703, through CBAI in the future, please
click here.
- OR - If you would like to be removed from the CBAI e-mail database,
please click here.